Singaporeans' support for humanitarian aid 'welcome': Shanmugam

The support Singaporeans have shown towards the humanitarian aid offered to Gaza is "welcome", said Law Minister K. Shanmugam. "It's good that Singaporeans are coming forward to express their anguish at the degree of civilians' suffering."

He was referring to the donations collected by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, or Muis, through its website and local mosques.

Speaking at the sidelines of the unveiling of plans for Northpoint City - an integrated development in Yishun, Mr Shanmugam, who is also the Foreign Minister, added that both the Palestinians and Israelis "bear responsibility for what is happening".

He also pointed out that the Gaza conflict is "one among many in the region". Other examples he raised included Syria and Iraq, which he called "heartrending". More than 150,000 Syrians have died as a result.

Singapore has been calling for an end to the Gaza conflict which has killed more than 1,200 people.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had called for restraint from both sides in a Facebook post last week. He admitted that there is "no easy solution" to the conflict as "the distrust and enmity are mutual, and deep".

This article was first published on August 2, 2014. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.